When you think about networking and connecting opportunities, what comes to mind? Do you imagine embarrassing yourself at a lavish party full of CEOs or politicians? Or perhaps your mind goes to the time when you thought you had made a meaningful professional connection with someone, only to later have your LinkedIn request denied.

YPK 101 is coming up soon, offering an exciting opportunity to practice networking skills. The most important thing to remember when networking is that you don’t need to overthink it. Just be natural! At the end of the day, you’re a person just talking to another person. Keep that in mind as we explore why we network and how to make the most of it.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize: Why Network Anyway?

Career Advancement

The best way to know about job opportunities, advancement opportunities, and other chances to further your career is by knowing the people who have the information. You might have heard it said that “it’s not what you know, it’s who,” and when it comes to career advancement, that can often be true. New jobs are always being created, and one way to stand out when it comes to being considered for a job that doesn’t exist yet is by showing up and being engaged.

Professional Development & Personal Development

Networking can help you grow your professional skills and can introduce you to new resources that you were previously unfamiliar with. 

Plus, who says that networking is something that you only do to boost your career, anyway? It’s okay to talk about personal goals, hobbies, and side projects during networking conversations. We are all complex people with lots of interests and lots that we can offer each other! 

In fact, sharing about other parts of ourselves will help with the professional development part, too. People appreciate humanness. Bringing up that you are interested in developing proficiency in QuickBooks and basketweaving in the same conversation makes everything feel more natural. 

Collaboration

We are capable of a lot all on our own. But when we work together with others, our potential becomes infinite. A group of people may, at first glance, seem to have nothing in common. And how can you work towards a shared goal if you have nothing in common? Try seeing collaboration as a fun way to challenge your mental heuristics! If you think that you will never have an opportunity to work with another person, try to creatively think of a way to get involved.

Step into Action at YPK 101

Perhaps as you were reading this, you realized, “Hey, I know how to do this part, I do this already.”

And you would be correct. Networking is a fun chance to learn more about the people and the world around you. Enjoy experiencing a fresh perspective on life through conversation with a new person.

YPK 101 isn't just another networking event; it's a chance to thrive in an accepting and judgment-free environment, learn more about our organization, and hear about how you can get involved. Put into practice all the tips and tricks we've discussed by using this event to push past your networking jitters, forge meaningful connections, and pave the way for your future endeavors. Every person you meet at YPK 101 could be a key player in your professional journey, a mentor/mentee, or a potential friend. So, don't hesitate—dive in, take charge, and let YPK 101 be the start of your networking success story, both professionally and socially!